Gravel packing a well
A technique that is usable with a subterranean well includes communicating a slurry through a shunt flow path and operating a control device to isolate slurry from being communicated to an ancillary flow path. The system may include a shunt tube and a diverter. The shunt tube is adapted to communicate a slurry flow within the well to form a gravel pack. The diverter is located in a passageway of the shunt tube to divert at least part of the flow. A slurry may be communicated through the shunt flow path, and a control device may be operated to isolate the slurry from being communicated to the ancillary flow path.
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The invention generally relates to gravel packing a well.
When well fluid is produced from a subterranean formation, the fluid typically contains particulates, or “sand.” The production of sand from the well must be controlled in order to extend the life of the well. One technique to accomplish this involves routing the well fluid through a downhole filter formed from gravel that surrounds a sandscreen. More specifically, the sandscreen typically is a cylindrical mesh that is inserted into and is generally concentric with the borehole of the well where well fluid is produced. Gravel is packed between the annular area between the formation and the sandscreen, called the “annulus.” The well fluid being produced passes through the gravel, enters the sandscreen and is communicated uphole via tubing that is connected to the sandscreen.
The gravel that surrounds the sandscreen typically is introduced into the well via a gravel packing operation. In a conventional gravel packing operation, the gravel is communicated downhole via a slurry, which is a mixture of fluid and gravel. A gravel packing system in the well directs the slurry around the sandscreen so that when the fluid in the slurry disperses, gravel remains around the sandscreen.
A potential challenge with a conventional gravel packing operation deals with the possibly that fluid may prematurely leave the slurry. When this occurs, a bridge forms in the slurry flow path, and this bridge forms a barrier that prevents slurry that is upstream of the bridge from being communicated downhole. Thus, the bridge disrupts and possibly prevents the application of gravel around some parts of the sandscreen.
One type of gravel packing operation involves the use of a slurry that contains a high viscosity fluid. Due to the high viscosity of this fluid, the slurry may be communicated downhole at a relatively low velocity without significant fluid loss. However, the high viscosity fluid typically is expensive and may present environmental challenges relating to its use. Another type of gravel packing operation involves the use of a low viscosity fluid, such as a fluid primarily formed from water, in the slurry. The low viscosity fluid typically is less expensive than the high viscosity fluid. This results in a better quality gravel pack (leaves less voids in the gravel pack than high viscosity fluid) and may be less harmful to the environment. However, a potential challenge in using the low viscosity fluid is that the velocity of the slurry must be higher than the velocity of the high viscosity fluid-based slurry in order to prevent fluid from prematurely leaving the slurry.
Thus, there exists a continuing need for an arrangement and/or technique that addresses one or more of the problems that are set forth above as well as possibly addresses one or more problems that are not set forth above.
SUMMARYIn an embodiment of the invention, a technique that is usable with a subterranean well includes communicating a slurry through a shunt flow path and operating a control device to isolate slurry from being communicated to an ancillary flow path.
In another embodiment of the invention, a system that is usable with a subterranean well includes a shunt tube and a diverter. The shunt tube is adapted to communicate a slurry flow within the well to form a gravel pack. The diverter is located in a passageway of the shunt tube to divert at least part of the flow.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a technique that is usable with a subterranean well includes communicating a slurry through a shunt flow path and operating a control device to isolate the slurry from being communicated to an ancillary flow path.
Advantages and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, drawing and claims.
Referring to
In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, a two-phase gravel packing operation is used to distribute gravel around the sandscreen 16. The first phase involves gravel packing the well from the bottom up by introducing a gravel slurry flow into the annulus 20. As the slurry flow travels through the well, the slurry flow loses its fluid through the sandscreen 20 and into the formation. That which enters the sandscreen returns to the surface of the well. During the first phase of the gravel packing operation, one or more bridges may eventually form in the annulus 20 due to the loss of fluid to the formation, thereby precluding further gravel packing via the straight introduction of the slurry flow into the annulus 20. To circumvent these bridges, the gravel packing enters a second phase in which the slurry flow is routed through alternative slurry flow paths.
More particularly, in some embodiments of the invention, the alternative flow paths are formed at least in part by shunt flow paths that are established by one or more shunt tubes 22 (one shunt tube depicted in
More specifically, as depicted in
As discussed further below, each of the depicted packing tubes 30a–d may be associated with a particular section of the well to be packed. For example, as depicted in
In some embodiments of the invention, the shunt tube(s) 22 may be located outside of the shrouds 32; and in some embodiments of the invention, the shunt tubes 22 may be located both inside and outside of the shrouds 32. Thus, many variations are possible and are within the scope of the claims.
As a more specific example of the two phase gravel packing operation,
More specifically, using
In some embodiments of the invention, the technique 60 includes preventing the communication through the shunt tube(s) between a particular section being packed and the adjacent section until the flow of slurry has been significantly impeded.
The significance of the blockage of the slurry flow affects the pressure of the slurry flow. Therefore, in some embodiments of the invention, the pressure increase initiates mechanisms (described below) that shut off packing in the current section and route the slurry flow to one or more alternate flow paths in the next section to be gravel packed. More particularly, when the bridge(s) cause the pressure of the slurry to reach a predetermined threshold (in accordance with some embodiments of the invention), communication to the next section to be packed is opened (block 72). Thus, slurry flows through the shunt tube(s) to the next section to be packed. Gravel packing thus proceeds to the next adjacent section, as depicted in block 68.
In some embodiments of the invention, one or more devices are operated to close off communication through the packing tube or tubes of the section at the conclusion of packing in that section, as described below. By isolating all packing tubes of previously packed sections, fluid loss is prevented from these sections, thereby ensuring that a higher velocity for the slurry may be maintained. This higher velocity, in turn, prevents the formation of bridges, ensures a better distribution of gravel around the sandscreen 16 and permits the use of a low viscosity fluid in the slurry (a fluid having a viscosity less than 30 approximately centipoises, in some embodiments of the invention).
The system 100 includes a plug 112 that is initially partially inserted into a radial opening 125 of the packing tube 30. In this state, the plug 112 does not impede a slurry flow 102 through the passageway of the packing tube 30. A spring 116 is located between the plug 112 and a sleeve 120. The sleeve 120, in some embodiments of the invention, is coaxial with the shunt tube 22, is closely circumscribed by the shunt tube 22 and is constructed to slide over a portion of the shunt tube 22 between the position depicted in
Initially, a shear screw 114 holds the spring 116 in a compressed state and holds the sleeve in the position depicted in
A lower end 139 of the sleeve 120 contains a rupture disk 134 that controls communication through the end 139. Initially, the rupture disk 134 blocks the slurry flow 24 from passing through the shunt tube 22. Thus, the slurry flow 24 exerts a downward force on the sliding sleeve 120 via the contact of the slurry 24 and the rupture disk 134. When the flow of slurry through the section being gravel packed becomes impeded, the pressure of the slurry 24 acting on the rupture disk 134 increases. The impeded flow may be due to the formation of one or more bridges in the annulus and/or packing tube(s), of the section, such as the exemplary bridge 109 that is shown as being formed in the packing tube 30 of
This subsequent state of the system 100 is depicted in
An alternative slurry distribution system 160 is depicted in
As depicted in
The sleeve 166 is constructed to move between the position depicted in
Over time, bridges, such as an exemplary bridge 183 shown in the packing tube 30, may form to impede the flow of the slurry. The resultant pressure increase in the slurry flow, in turn, creates a downward force on the sleeve 166. After the flow has been sufficiently impeded, the force on the sleeve 166 shears the shear screw 162 and causes the sleeve 166 to slide to the position in which the bottom end of the sleeve 166 rests against the stop 182. In this position, the radial opening 168 is misaligned with the opening to the packing tube 30; and thus, communication between the shunt tube 22 and packing tube 30 is blocked. This blockage along with any additional bridging increases pressure on the rupture disk 190 so that the rupture disk 190 ruptures.
This state of the system 160 is in
In some embodiments of the invention, a dampening layer may be included below a particular rupture disk in the shunt tube 22, such as the rupture disks 134 (
An exemplary dampening layer 199, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, is depicted in
The central passageway of the shunt tube 22 may be generally aligned with the passageway of the lower shunt tube 321. Therefore, due to inertia, the main flow path along which the slurry flow 24 propagates may generally be directed toward the central passageway of the lower shunt tube 310 and thus, toward the rupture disk 320. The deflector 304, however, deflects the slurry flow 24 away from the rupture disk 320 and toward the corresponding packing tubes 30. As depicted in
One function of the deflector 304 is to deflect a potential pressure spike that may be caused by the rupture of an upstream rupture disk. Thus, the deflector 304 may prevent premature rupturing of the rupture disk 320. Another potential advantage of the use of the deflector 304 is to prevent erosion of the rupture disk 320. More specifically, in some embodiments of the invention, the rupture disk 320 might erode due to particulates in the slurry 24. Over time, this erosion may affect the rupture threshold of the rupture disk 320. Therefore, without such a deflector 304, the rupture disk 320 may rupture at a lower pressure than desired.
The third function, which may be the major function of the deflector (in some embodiments of the invention), is to divert the gravel to the packing tube, after the rupture disk burst, in order to seal the packing tubes hydraulically.
In some embodiments of the invention, the slurry flow 24 gradually erodes the deflector 302 to minimize any local flow restriction. However, this erosion occurs well after the desired rupturing of the rupture disk 320.
As depicted in
Referring to
Although rupture disks have been described above, it is noted that other flow control devices, such as valves, for example, may be used in place of these rupture disks and are within the scope of the claims.
Orientational terms, such as “up,” “down,” “radial,” “lateral,” etc. may be used for purposes of convenience to describe the gravel packing systems and techniques as well as the slurry distribution systems and techniques. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to these particular orientations. For example, the system depicted in
While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this present invention.
Claims
1. A method usable with a well, comprising:
- communicating a slurry through a shunt flow path; and
- operating a first control device to control communication between the shunt flow path and an ancillary flow path, the ancillary flow path being separate from the shunt flow path and having an inlet located upstream of a first portion of the shunt flow path and downstream of a second portion of the shunt flow path.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the shunt flow path comprises a shunt tube.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ancillary flow path comprises a packing tube.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- operating a second control device to control communication of the slurry to another ancillary flow path.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein operation of the second control device occurs after operation of the first control device.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the operating the second control device comprises:
- rupturing a rupture disk.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the first control device comprises:
- inserting a plug into a passageway located between the shunt flow path and the ancillary flow path.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the first control device comprises:
- moving a sleeve.
9. A system usable with a well, comprising:
- a shunt tube adapted to communicate a slurry, the shunt tube comprising a plurality of outlets;
- flow control devices located between the outlets to selectively prevent communication between a passageway of the shunt tube and the outlets; and
- packing tubes connected to the outlets.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the flow control devices are adapted to sequentially open to permit sequential packing of sections of the well.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the flow control devices comprises a rupture disk.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the flow control devices is adapted to close off communication through part of the shunt tube until a pressure of the slurry reaches an approximate predetermined threshold and open communication through the part of the shunt tube in response to the slurry reaching the approximate predetermined threshold.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the flow control devices is adapted to selectively prevent communication of the slurry to an ancillary flow path.
14. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the flow control devices establishes a sufficient pressure to use a low viscosity fluid in the slurry.
15. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the flow control devices is adapted to selectively prevent communication of the slurry through at least part of the shunt tube.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the flow control devices comprises:
- a rupture disk located inside the shunt tube to prevent communication through part of the shunt tube in response to a pressure of the slurry remaining below an approximate threshold.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the rupture disk is adapted to rupture in response to the pressure of the slurry exceeding the approximate threshold.
18. A system usable with a well, comprising:
- a shunt flow path adapted to communicate a slurry; and
- a first control device adapted to transition from an open state to a closed state to isolate the slurry from being communicated to an ancillary flow path extending from the shunt flow path, the ancillary flow path being separate from the shunt flow path and having an inlet located upstream of a first portion of the shunt flow path and downstream of a second portion of the shunt flow path.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first control device is adapted to respond to a pressure in the slurry reaching a predetermined threshold to transition from the open state to the closed state.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein the shunt flow path comprises a shunt tube.
21. The system of claim 18, wherein the ancillary flow path comprises a packing tube.
22. The system of claim 18, further comprising:
- a second control device adapted to establish communication of the slurry to another ancillary flow path.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the second control device is adapted to operate after operation of the first control device.
24. The system of claim 22, wherein the second control device comprises:
- a rupture disk.
25. The system of claim 18, wherein the first control device comprises:
- a plug adapted to be inserted into the ancillary flow path.
26. The system of claim 18, wherein the first control device comprises:
- a sleeve adapted to move in response to a pressure of the slurry.
27. A method usable with a well, comprising:
- communicating a slurry through a shunt flow path and at least one ancillary flow path extending from said shunt flow path further into the well, each of said at least one ancillary flow paths being separate from the shunt flow path and having an inlet located upstream of a portion of the shunt flow path and downstream of another portion of the shunt flow path;
- flowing at least some of the slurry through said at least one ancillary flow path; and
- subsequent to the flowing, selectively preventing communication between the shunt flow path and said at least one ancillary flow path.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the shunt flow path comprises a shunt tube.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein said at least one ancillary flow path comprises at least one packing tube.
30. The method of claim 27, wherein the selectively preventing communication comprises:
- closing off communication through the part of shunt flow path until a pressure of the slurry reaches an approximate predetermined threshold and opening communication through the part of the shunt flow path in response to the slurry reaching the approximate predetermined threshold.
31. The method of claim 27, wherein the selectively preventing communication comprises:
- selectively preventing communication to at least one of said at least one ancillary flow path.
32. The method of claim 27, wherein the act of selectively preventing establishes a sufficient pressure to use a low viscosity fluid in the slurry.
33. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
- communicating the slurry through at least one ancillary flow path of said at least one ancillary flow path.
34. The method of claim 27, wherein the selectively preventing comprises:
- providing a rupture disk inside the shunt flow path to prevent communication through the part of the shunt flow path in response to a pressure of the slurry remaining below an approximate threshold.
35. The method of claim 34, further comprising:
- rupturing the rupture disk in response to the pressure of the slurry exceeding the approximate threshold.
36. A method comprising:
- providing a shunt tube and a packing tube separate from the shunt tube to communicate a slurry through the shunt tube and the packing tube to gravel pack a well;
- connecting an inlet of the packing tube to the shunt tube such that the shunt tube extends upstream and downstream of the inlet of the packing tube; and
- providing a valve in the packing tube.
37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:
- providing a plug to selectively seal a passageway of the packing tube.
38. A method comprising:
- packing a first section of a well by routing at least part of a slurry through a shunt tube and a first packing tube attached to the shunt tube;
- near a conclusion of the packing of the first section, rupturing a first rupture disk in the shunt tube and sealing off communication through the first packing tube; and
- in response to the rupturing, packing a second section of the well.
39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:
- near a conclusion of the packing of the second section, rupturing a second rupture disk in the shunt tube and sealing off communication through a second packing tube.
40. The method of claim 39, further comprising:
- in response to the rupturing of the second rupture disk, packing a third section of the well.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Sep 3, 2003
Date of Patent: Dec 12, 2006
Patent Publication Number: 20050045327
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Sugar Land, TX)
Inventors: David Wei Wang (Manvel, TX), Bruno Khan (Houston, TX), Michael D. Langlais (Houston, TX)
Primary Examiner: Hoang Dang
Attorney: Trop, Pruner & Hu, P.C.
Application Number: 10/654,101
International Classification: E21B 43/04 (20060101); E21B 43/08 (20060101);